From the concrete who knew that a flower would grow. Jarvis Baker is a 53-year-old man from Oak Cliff—an inner-city community in Dallas, TX. Oak Cliff is a neighborhood that has suffered from systemic oppression and a depressed economy. Defying the odds is the story of Baker’s life—survival in the neighborhood he grew up in was no guarantee. This story is not about survival but instead will highlight how Baker thrived by becoming a pillar through inspiration and education in the same community.
“When he was growing up, I would sometimes have to go up to the school because he could act out and put on a show to make the other kids laugh. One day his sixth-grade teacher said she didn’t know how it would happen or when it would be, but he was going to be somebody’s leader. Whatever he did in class, that’s what the rest of the children would do,” Baker’s mother Willie Esther Baker said.
Gifted with the ability of leadership at an early age, Baker learned to hone his God ordained gift and use it for the betterment of countless lives. Some say heavy is the head that wears crown—Baker wears the crown with grace and appreciation for being one of the special few human beings blessed to be a leader. Baker’s story started with relentless perseverance and making a way out of no way.
“Seeing your friends make bad decisions that had lifetime consequences was the toughest part about growing up in my neighborhood,” Baker said with angst.
Although the odds were against him, Baker still saw the beauty in the struggle—remembering how his village took care of him to be all that he knew he could be.
“Community, just the idea of how everybody had respect for each other. When somebody was in need, we all chipped in to help each other out—whether it was academics, athletics, financial, or social. It was just a whole community,” Baker explained.
Coaches and educators throughout Baker’s grade school years served as mentors and role models—fueling a fire within him to pay it forward when his time came to mold the minds of local youth. As a special basketball talent in high school, his skillset smoothly translated to the coaching ranks as an 11-time city champion for boys’ and girls’ basketball at two separate Dallas middle schools.
“Coach Baker was the realist coach I ever had, he made playing basketball fun,” former player Courtney Hedge stated.
Christian values have always been the foundation of Baker’s life, and those who know him describe him as a man of faith. Becoming a pastor at the church right across the street from the house he grew up in called Canaan Baptist Church in 2001, Baker knew at an early age he was called to preach.
“It really is a funny story; it happened at eight years old. My oldest brother and my cousin said boy you better not preach at eight years old. And I thank them now,” Baker said.
The eight-year-old kid who had the vision is surely proud of the current version of himself. Baker aspires to continue growing his congregation as the church has bought land and designed blueprints for their future new home. The congregation believes in the vision Baker has for the church—knowing he is a pure human being.
“I want to thank Pastor Baker for who he is and what he’s done for me. From the moment I walked through those [church] doors I’ve felt welcomed. He continually shows me what it means to be a good and real man,” church member Billy Wayne said.
Education and scholarship are also an important foundation of Baker’s life. His awarded degrees include: Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Master of Science in Secondary Teaching, Master of Education in Higher Education, Master of Arts in Christian Education, Doctorate of Theology Proper, and Doctorate of Ministry in Christian Leadership.
“I believe you have to be a lifelong learner. If you stop learning, you stop growing,” Baker said.
Baker’s growth mindset has inspired his family to continue growing as well. As a husband and father of three, his daughter is a doctoral student at USC, youngest son is a master’s student at St. Bonaventure University, and oldest son is a doctoral student at Princeton University. His wife, Angie Baker, who he credits as his latest and greatest inspiration has also received a doctorate degree from Liberty University. Jarvis Baker is currently finishing a book that he is writing and a future goal of his is to do adjunct teaching. The story of the proverbial flower being Jarvis Baker continues to grow from the concrete while spreading far and wide.
Baker's Dozen 
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